SJ police union sues city over ballot measure

March 20, 2012 10:47:07 AM PDT

SAN JOSE, Calif. --

San Jose's police union is suing the city over a ballot measure that would reduce pension benefits.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that the San Jose Police Officers' Association filed two separate lawsuits against the city last week in Santa Clara County Superior Court. It wants the court to order the parties back to the bargaining table and bar the ballot measure from going forward.

The measure would reduce pension benefits for new hires and require current workers to pay more or switch to a plan with reduced benefits.

City officials say the changes are needed to help balance the budget. They dispute the union's allegations that they failed to adequately discuss the changes before putting them on the ballot and should have gone to arbitration.